High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - High Hopes Chapter 2: EXCLUSIVE Interview With Former Phillie Mickey Moniak

Episode Date: August 27, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz talk with former Phillies number-one overall pick Mickey Moniak about his time in Philadelphia and the transition to Los Angeles ahead of the Angels coming to town for a three-game series. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

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It's a great bar in Philly. I love this place. Shout out to Oscars Tavern. Today's Miller Lite Bar of the Week is Oscars Tavern in Center City, where you can watch all Philly's games with $3 Miller Lite pint specials. Check is Oscars Tavern in Center City where you can watch all Phillies games with $3 Miller Lite pint specials. Check out Oscars Tavern on Facebook. Oscars is an awesome place. All right.

What a pleasure. I mean, Jack and I, you know, just a couple of idiots doing a podcast. And, you know, we get to talk to a Major League Baseball player who, like, you know, appreciates us. And when he's in town, he's like, yeah, sure. Like we love you, Mick, Mickey Modyak, our guy, like our, the official baseball player of the podcast, whether he's a Philly or not, um, took some time to talk to us, take back coming up in a few, but, uh, we hope you enjoy this. I know he's the enemy for three days, but I'm, I'm pretty

sure everyone who's a member of the high hopes communityaks community is always going to be a fan of this guy. So here's our guy, Mickey Moniak. Join us a little bit ago. All right. It's our distinct pleasure to welcome back to the podcast, multiple time guest, friend of the pod. He may be playing for the Angels right now, but he will always be the favorite baseball player of this podcast no matter where he is. Our guy crushing it

out in LA, no big deal. Show him how Tani tells people I play with Mickey Moniac. Mickey! What up, fellas? Now, I mean, again, I told you this this morning, but if you need me to organize a standing O and get the whole fan base ready to go, I got you this this morning, but if you need me to organize a standing O

and get the whole fan base ready to go, I got your back, man. It's going to be a good sign. The boy returns home. I don't know about all that, but definitely excited to be back for a few days. Yeah, it should be fun. It should be good seeing everybody

and being back to where it all started. Well, I'll tell you what. Citizens Bank Park is a little different than the last time you were around. Well, I'll tell you what, Citizens Bank Park's a little different than the last time you were around. Well, Mick, let's start with that. All right, bud, go ahead. No, no, I mean, what do you got? What's different?

I was just going to say, I want to get to the Angel stuff and what it's been like out there, but seeing from afar, like the standing ovations for Turner thing and how he's talked about it changing his season and all that, as someone who played here and saw what it was like and was back and saw that playoff atmosphere, what's it like to see that from afar

and kind of see from the outside, knowing what it's like? Yeah, I thought it was incredible. I think just watching the the playoff run that that the boys had last year and you know just seeing how that fan base rallied around the the guys during that that whole run to the world series was um you know something that you know when i got drafted i'd been to being a part of and you know obviously that didn't happen but but being able to watch it and see you know all the guys that i grew up with all of uh some of my closest friends you know still to this day be able to experience that is uh was special and and uh you know just kind of

shows what what the philly uh fan base is is all about and you know what i knew it was all about um you know just had to had to get some winning involved and once that happened it was all about. You know, just had to get some winning involved. And once that happened, it was awesome to see it. And then obviously, you know, watching what they did for Trey, rallying around him and now kind of seeing him go on that surge and be the Trey Turner that they signed is, it was super cool to watch for sure. Now, obviously, we'll get back to Phil's stuff. But man, you're killing it out in L.A.

How's it been? I mean, like a big kind of like weight lifted off your shoulder. And now, like just watching from afar, it just seems like you can just go out there and play. What's it been like as an Angel? It's been great. You know, I think, you know, as much as I would have liked to be doing this in Philly, I think a change of scenery was good for me. And, you know, just kind as I would have liked to be doing this in Philly, I think a change of scenery was good for me. And, you know, just kind of getting a fresh start.

Obviously didn't play the way I wanted to for the Phils. And I'm grateful for every second that I got to spend there and all the development that I did there. You know, I don't think that I'm doing what I'm doing right now without everything that went on. You know, the seven't think that I'm doing what I'm doing right now without everything that went on. You know, the seven years I played in Philadelphia and, you know, coming through the minor leagues there. So it's been fun, man. I think, like you said, just going out and playing baseball, trusting myself, having confidence in myself.

And, you know, I've always known it was in there. It's just took a little bit to come out. Yeah. And I mean mean it helps your plan with you know shohay otani and and mike trout like i mean james and i are baseball geeks and like our our bands are all geeks like i mean can you explain to us like what shohay otani is honestly i i honestly don't think I can do that because it's one of the most impressive things that I've ever gotten to watch on a baseball field you know I've been fortunate enough to play with a lot of really good players you know my short career so far and and you know

just for me going out there and getting ready for the starter you know every day and and you know that's tough enough but you know when he's he was going out there every fifth day getting ready for the starter, you know, every day. And, you know, that's tough enough. But, you know, when he was going out there every fifth day, getting ready to face, you know, an opposing lineup and dominate them and then go out there and get three hits and maybe a homer or two. You know, I've seen some of the crazier feats that have been accomplished in this game firsthand. So it's something that I'll be able to tell my kids about. You know, I think the one in particular that stands out was able to tell my kids about you know i think the

one in particular that stands out was when we were in detroit you know going out there throwing the complete game shut out and then going out to homers and yep i was watching that on um i was that it was like during the day i was home i was watching that as it happened i'm like geez wheeze man it's ridiculous he's not of this planet it's uh yeah i, I mean, it's something I'm going to tell my kids about. That's the best way to put it. Yeah, I mean, I think you're playing with the greatest baseball player of all time, personally. Like, I don't even know how you can argue it.

You know, you can say other people have had better careers, but in terms of just, like, pure talent, like, the best ever. Mick, I wanted to ask, you talked a little bit before about kind of getting a fresh start in Los Angeles. And I've always found that interesting as someone who doesn't play the game. You always hear that with, I mean, you were the number one pick in the draft,

you know, like a top prospect. You always hear that with top prospects who sometimes don't get the opportunity somewhere or it doesn't work out and they go somewhere else and succeed. And it's like, oh oh they just needed a fresh start like like how real is that like that is that something that is is like tangible to you i think it's very real real um you know i think a few things go into that i don't think it's just like i think when you say a fresh start i think there's a lot that that goes into just that statement right. I think for me it was, you know, when I was with Philly,

there wasn't a real long leash for good reason. And, you know, I didn't validate getting everyday opportunities to play. I think, you know, there was a lot of money on the field. The team was built to win now. And, you know, obviously we saw that last year making the World Series run. And, you know, for me, it took a little bit to get comfortable. It took a little bit to kind of feel confident in the box in the big leagues and facing big league pitching and kind of just slowing the game down. I think for me, it came with reps.

And so in that sense, coming over to Anaheim last year not really in a playoff hunt kind of just had a little bit longer of a leash to go out there and get every day at bats and and kind of fail and learn and figure out how to how to hit in the big leagues you know what I need to do on a daily basis and and kind of just refine an approach up there was something that I needed and and you know unfortunately that that opportunity wasn't given in Philly for good reason, like I said, and, you know, no ill will towards anybody over there. You know, I think I'm always grateful for the time that I spent over there, the people that I met, you know, that whole journey, like I said, led me to here. And then on top of that, just being

back in California, an hour away from home. You know, I tell the story when I got traded. The travel guy, Tom Taylor, with the Angels, called me and was like, so we're going to fly you into Orange County. And at the time, my car was at my parents' house. I was like, I think you can just fly me to San Diego and I can just pick up my car and drive up. And I remember that once I asked that, I just kind of just set in.

And then, you know, had my girlfriend pick me up at the airport in San Diego that next day. And, you know, got my car and drove literally an hour to the stadium. You know, the same drive that I made a hundred times when I was a kid going to travel ball tournaments up north in orange county and um it was just a surreal feeling just remember driving by angel stadium on a you know always in awe of it you know never went there as a kid growing up but always drove by it you know sticks out like a sore thumb it's right off the freeway right there and uh so yeah it was it was something that was pretty cool. I remember driving up to the stadium and just kind of being like, wow, I'm going here to work

now. It's not... We're in the big leagues. I think just a lot of things going into the so-called fresh start was huge for me. Yeah, for sure. You were hitting tanks early this season

out there in L.A. I mean, where did this power come from, man? Like, you were like, what, 140 pounds when we drafted you? Oh, about 142 maybe. Soaking wet. No, I don't know. Hey, listen, I hit six in spring training last year. People forget that.

People forget that. Well, and you broke your wrist. Well, listen, listen. Ryan Yarbrough is still enemy number one of this podcast. Trent Thornton hit Bryce in his first year here, and Bryce is a little gimpy.

John Lennon broke Utley's hand in 07, and Ryan Yarbrough. Those are the three guys who I can't stand. Yeah, Blake Snell. If the Phillies hadn't made the playoffs last year, if Bryce hadn't stand. Yeah, Blake Snell, if the Phillies hadn't made the playoffs last year, if he hadn't had his run, Blake Snell would be right on that list too. We remember them.

Well, because, dude, I remember all this. The game, it was the last freaking game of spring training, and it was in Tampa, and you hit a home run. And you were white hot, like white hot all spring. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. We were like, yes. Mickey.

I'll never forget. It was like, no. I remember it was the weirdest thing too because I had a feeling after my first at-bat hitting that home run. I don't know what it was. But in the back of my head, you know when you get those just like, something's not right. Like there's a bad feeling in the back of your head.

And it was a weird moment, but you know, it happened and it sucked and you know, just got to move on, learn from it. And then obviously getting hit again, got, got to Anaheim and got hit again.

That sucked too. So, and then got hit. Just stop getting hit. It was a rollercoaster last year. so just grateful to be uh to be healthy this year and luckily not getting hit in the hand three times it's definitely pretty sweet oh my god yeah well i mean listen we are obviously happy for you um and it's been like it's just been like honestly now the pressure's off you know least here. Because with you, it was like, that's our guy.

He's our future here. And now it's like, you can just go cook elsewhere. You know what I mean? So unfortunately, we're not reaping the rewards of you going off. But it's OK. We're just happy for you, man. Yeah, that's all. You're going to succeed.

And maybe someday you'll find your way back here, you know? Yes. And let me tell you something else, too, Mick, seriously. Like, no joke, dude. Whenever you are done playing baseball in 15 years or whatever it is, like, you could talk about baseball, man. You're a good talker. Like, that's another, like, you know,

whenever they offer those classes to active players, hey, you want to get into media or whatever, you know, don't turn your nose at it, man. Like, you can really talk so i thought about it just throwing that out there too no doubt hey nothing's off the table good yeah ever so i'm curious uh obviously like you've been in the dugout with rob thompson um obviously gerardi took over the beginning or gerardi was the manager beginning of last year what do do you see from Rob Thompson? Are you surprised at how well he's done since taking over for this team? I mean, again, you were in the clubhouse with him.

Not at all. Not at all. I think Topper's the perfect guy for that group of guys. I think he's a perfect manager, not only for the Phillies, but, I mean, he can manage anywhere. He's just – Hey, fantasy football owners. of guys. I think he's a perfect manager not only for the Phillies, but I mean he can manage anywhere. Hey fantasy football owners, the road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception

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Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. He's got that trust in his guys. I think when I was over there and even when I wasn't playing well, Tomper always made me feel like I could go out there and get four hits that night. You know, he showed confidence in me even when I didn't deserve it at times. I think that's just the kind of manager, that's just the kind of guy he is.

He's even keeled. You know, there's no panic in Tomper. It's, you know, who he is is what you get. And he's the perfect guy for that job. And, you know, who he is is what you get. And he's the perfect guy for that job. And, you know, when he got the job last year, that guy's been in baseball forever and, you know, never got the opportunity to manage. And, you know, I remember when Girardi did get fired and we got the text that Tomper was going to be the manager.

I just remember being, you know, it was a weird day, obviously, because you don't want your manager to get fired. But I remember being, you know, pretty excited to see what Tomper can do. And, you know, just that first meeting we had with him in the clubhouse that day, you could feel that things were going to start changing. And obviously they did. I remember, I think, we were going like a 10-game win streak after Tomper took over.

Yeah. Something like that. Nine or ten, I think it was, yeah. And it was on after that. So, yeah, I'm excited to see him. You know, he's stayed in touch with me, you know, reached out from time to time. And, you know, he's always been in my corner even when, you know, I was in the minor leagues and he was still the bench coach.

So, it's definitely really cool to see, really cool to watch. Yeah, he comes on the morning show with us once every other week, and he's the nicest guy in the world, and he's so genuine. He gives you honest answers, really honest answers. No doubt. Obviously, his story finally getting a chance at his age is amazing. One more for me, Mick. You mentioned the guys early on when you were talking about watching

the squad last year and the ovations in Philly and all that. Guys who are your best buds in the world, guys you came up with, seeing what Bryson Stott is doing this season, what Boehmer is doing, what those guys that you kind of grew up with are doing. What's that like

to see? And did you know that they had it in them this quick like that bryson stock could go from what he was last year to a guy who's like among the batting average leaders in the sport this year like you know how you know what's it like to see that from afar and could and did you expect it to happen this quick yeah i mean i definitely expected it i played with i played with bomer and you know, that year in AA in 19 when he hit almost damn near 30 homers and hit 300. And, you know, it was – I remember just being like, that's going to play in the big leagues.

I remember telling people, you know, he's one of the better hitters I've ever seen. And, you know, obviously he's doing what he's doing. Definitely not surprised by that. And then Stoddard, you know, I got to play a little bit with Stoddard, obviously the, the alt site, and then came up a little bit in 21 and in, in Lehigh. And then, you know, 22 last year had a great spring training, obviously, and, you know, made the team and got off to a tough start, but that happens.

You know, I think I remember there was some like analytical stat you know I'm not a big analytics guy I don't really pay attention but someone brought it up and it was like he was hitting a buck 80 but had some of the worst luck in baseball he could have been hitting like 250 260 so you know I think him getting the opportunity and just getting more at bats it's obviously you know it's it's baseball things are gonna things are gonna turn you know if you just stay the course and you know he's done that um yeah but by no means am i surprised with what they're doing you know their studs uh it's been fun to watch and uh i'm excited to to share the feel with them again coming up, even though it's an opposing dugout.

For sure. Now, people do forget. I know Boehm and Stoddard, you know, they get a lot of credit for being part of the Phillies daycare. Yeah. I mean, you were part of that as well. How did that whole thing start? I think Schwarber was messing around with it one day maybe

k long talking about you know i think one of the games there was like six of us in the lineup that day and it's like oh and i think like a couple of us did something we won the game and i think they were just joking around about you know the daycare won the day like won the game today day care this day care that and then we kind of ran with it. And, you know, we made shirts and, you know, just kind of embraced it. And it was fun. You know, obviously you got guys like Schwartz and JT and Bryce, you know, veteran guys. And then you had us young guys running around causing havoc.

Nick Maton throwing up wool feed to every single person. Nick Vierling, Bomer being the guy he is, Stoddard. You know, I think it was fun. It was a good mix of young guys and older guys. And I think the older guys, they let us, you know, feel comfortable in that clubhouse last year, at least when I was there. You know, kind of allowed us to be us and kind of mess around and let the youth take over a little bit. I think that's kind of where the daycare kind of comes from.

Awesome. People always talk about Schwarber and it's like, oh, he's bad in 180, like this, 180, that, whatever. And a lot of from the outside it's like he's a great leader whatever like what what makes Schwarber like a great leader and like kind of changing that clubhouse around he's just he's the same guy every day and uh you know he he wants everyone to be included he wants you know the team to to be doing stuff together he wants to bond with everybody because he knows you know when you make those deep runs in the doing stuff together he wants to bond with everybody because he knows you know when you make those deep runs in the postseason and he's been there a lot you

know you got to be tight you got to stick together and um you know you win you win you lose it's you play tomorrow so um you know he was uh he was good good at you know celebrating the wins and uh because it's hard to win the big leagues and And when you do win, you should enjoy it. But also if you lose, screw it tomorrow's a new day. And, and, uh, you know, we got a game at seven o'clock tomorrow. It doesn't change that game. So, um, I think just, just having that presence, having the experience that he's had in the post-season and, and, uh, you know, just being there winning a world series. Um, you know, just being there, winning a world series. You know, I think that was huge for us last year to, to have him there. And, and yeah, man, I think, you know, when everyone, everyone talks about him being a good clubhouse guy,

I think that's an understatement because I mean, he's, his value to a team is, is immense, you know, whether he's hitting a bucket, I mean, he's hitting a buck 80, but he's got 30 some homers and he walks and gets on base. It's just like, you know, the old bad average. It's not us saying it, Mick. It's not us saying it. It's people outside of us saying it, yeah.

And people, you know how it goes. Everyone's got their opinion, and they're entitled to it. But he's, you know, I think he's playing to his contract. He's playing to what the Phillies thought of him. And, you know, I can't begin to tell you guys how much he means to that clubhouse, for sure. At least, you know, when I was there. And I'm sure still to this day. I'm sure.

I don't think he's changed in the last year or two. Last one for me. So you obviously play with Shohei. You play with Trout. Last one for me. You obviously play with Shohei. You play with Trout. But I know you're also in attendance for, speaking of Shorbs, his 488-foot home run in San Diego last year. Furthest ball you've ever seen live is the Shorber home run or what?

You know, it might. I think Sho might have hit one 490-something this year, unfortunately. I'm sure he did. I'm sure he did. I'm sure he did. Yeah, of course he did. Why not? Put it this way. Put it this way.

I went to Petco Park growing up as a kid, you know, my whole life until I got drafted and went to a bunch of Padre games. And I was at one of the Dodger games. We were sitting up in right field a little bit. There's like a little tunnel. We were kind of right above the tunnel for the game. And I remember someone nearby asking, like, do you think we're going to get a home run hit here?

And I was like, no, never seen a ball hit here. And then obviously was there for the series against the Phillies. And he went over that upper deck. So, I mean, he did something that I didn't think was possible, and I've watched a lot of home runs been hit in that stadium, and that was by far the furthest one I've seen hit in that stadium, for sure. It's awesome. Yeah, I mean, the dude is just – I mean, when he gets a hold of one,

like really gets – even when he doesn't, when he like, it's off the end of the bat, it finds its way out. But I mean, when he really gets a hold of one, it is, it's majestic. It's unlike many things I've seen. Mick, seriously, like we can't tell you how much it means to us to spend some time with us. And I said at the top, and it's true. You're our favorite baseball player.

I apologize to all the Phillies. We love all our Phillies. They're all of them are our second's true, you're our favorite baseball player I apologize to all the Phillies, we love all our Phillies All of them are our second favorite But you're our top guy We're rooting for you, we're pulling for you I'll be at the game on Wednesday, I'll be giving you a standing out I promise you that You're our guy, man

Thanks for everything, we appreciate it I appreciate you guys, man All the support, everything It's good to talk to you guys again It'll be good to see you guys, hopefully the next couple days yeah man for sure now take it easy though like you know we gotta like listen we still uh we're not knocked out of it yet all uh i'll do my best. Okay. Everyone just does their best. Let's all go out there. Everyone go out there and have a good time.

Everyone go out there. All right, Nick. Thanks so much, man. I appreciate you guys. The best. The best.

Plus, I didn't call, I didn't call Mickey Morton Deany at the end of the interview. So, I was proud of myself, you know. Didn't mess that up. Yeah.

I do like that the YouTube audience just saw you, what we do when we play interviews, which is like pause to pause five seconds oh yeah 27 minutes because i'm editing so 27 minutes in got it you know oh yeah well yeah and cut it so listening magic you heard it that way right Right. But yeah, he's just... I thought he had good stuff on the pills. Me too. He could do TV or radio someday. He's a really good talker. He's clearly a very bright guy. I think it was really interesting

to hear him talk about the fresh start stuff and all that. He seems introspective. He's a good thinker. He's awesome, man. That's why we loved him originally. We rooted for him as a player. The reason we loved to have him on the pod is because we used to have all these not that we had many big time guests or anything back in the day,

but we would get like minor league guys on or whatever. We had Bowman and we had and not like any of these guys were bad talkers or anything, but they just weren't like super talkative or whatever. And Mickey came on and he was just like ripping off jokes and being awesome we were like our guy our guy yeah um uh the youtube commenters were all confused as to why

that we stopped talking so that's why i explained it okay so that's why so youtube commenters that's a little tease for you you gotta listen to the actual podcast and then you get the interview